Box cover and combination cover and box

ABSTRACT

An improved box cover and combination box and cover are disclosed wherein the cover is flat and includes a central portion and two end portions hingedly attached to opposite ends thereof. The cover is for use with a box having side and end walls and two flaps extending inwardly from the opposed end walls. The end portions of the cover are adapted to be received between the flaps and the box side walls adjacent the flaps.

United States Patent [1 1 Paige Oct. 23, 1973 [54] BOX COVER ANDCOMBINATION COVER 1,612,166 12/1926 Baldwin 229/43 X AND BOX 1,047,02412/1912 Fealdson.... 229/43 X 3,498,492 3/1970 McCrea 229/43 X [75]Inventor: Richard E- Paige, e York, NY 3,245,527 4/1966 Martin 229/43 x[73] Assignee: Gift Box Corporation of America,

New York NX Primary Examiner-Davis T. Moorehead Att0rneyLaurence R.Hefter [22] Filed: Apr. 17, 1972 Appl. N0; 244,747

U.S. Cl 229/43, 229/38, 229/23 BT Int. Cl. 865d 43/00 Field of Search229/38, 39 B, 43,

229/41 B, 41 A, 23 BT References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1960Ullger ..229 4113 8/1967 Kramer ..229/38 [57] ABSTRACT An improved boxcover and combination box and cover are disclosed wherein the cover isflat and includes a central portion and two end portions hingedlyattached to opposite ends thereof. The cover is for use with a boxhaving side and end walls and two flaps extending inwardly from theopposed end walls. The end portions of the cover are adapted to bereceived between the flaps and the box side walls adjacent the flaps.

11 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures BOX COVER AND COMBINATION COVER AND BOXBACKGROUND OF THIS INVENTION This invention relates to improvements ingift boxes, especially gift boxes madeof cardboard, paperboard or otherfoldable sheet material, which are shipped in a flattened position tothe retailer. More particularly, this invention relates to an improvedcover for gift boxes which is aesthetically attractive, easy to ship,assemble and remove, difficult to accidentally dislodge and inexpensiveto manufacture. This invention also relates to the combination of thecover and a box to receive the cover.

Boxes for wrapping gifts often are used by retail stores to buildfavorable store images, gain and maintain customers, create extra giftsales and obtain maximum advertising through box use and reuse. Thesepanels, one at each end of the central panel and attached to the centralpanel along a fold line. The central panel, measured along a lineparallel and adjacent to the fold lines, has a dimension at least equalto and preferably slightly greater than the distance between the opposedend walls of the box. The side edges of the central panel curve inwardlytoward the center of the central panel to form an aestheticallyattractive sculpboxes come in two basic forms, namely asset-up 1 boxesand as folding boxes. Set-up boxes are boxes which are shipped in afully set up position by the box manufacturer. Folding boxes aresupplied tothe retail stores as flat blanks, and are assembled into acontainer by store personnel; conventionally, covers sides of box causedby the overlapping relationship of the box top and bottom. This overlapmakes itdifficult to neatly and tightlywrap paper around the box,especially if the box is packed compactly.

For the set-up tops, the manufacturing procedure requires taping thecorners of. the covers and then wrapping the covers with sheetmaterial,such as paper. Setup covers take up considerable space in the warehouseand at the store counter. Furthermore, because of the volume of storagespace taken by each cover, the great majority of which is air, itisalmosteconomically impossible to ship set-up covers long distances.

Folding covers require the gluing of the corner tabs to an adjacentsidepanel by the manufacturer and the setting up and interlocking of cornerlock tabs by store personnel. While foldingboxes take up less space thanset-up covers, many such covers are less attractive because fold linesare observable.

Accordingly, itis one objective of this invention to provide anaesthetically appealing box cover which is easily and quickly assembled,which is inexpensive to manufacture, ship and store, and-which, whilebeing easy to remove from the box bottom, is difficult to accidentallydislodge.

It is another objective of this invention to provide a gift box whichprovides an aesthetically appealing sculptured and artistic effect, iseasy to open and close and whose closure is secure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention,=in one form comprisesa box cover for use with a box, which box includes a bottom panel, twoside walls, two end walls and two dust flaps, one dust flapextendinginwardly from each of the opposed end walls. The cover includesa central panel and two end tured effect and to provide a means wherebythe cover can be easily grasped and lifted for removal.

In order to place the cover on the box the end panels are foldeddownwardly along fold lines and are tucked in the narrow spaces betweenthe dust flaps and the side walls adjacent thereto. The portions of thecentral panels which are wider than the distance between the end wallsof the box extend over the end walls of the box and rest upon these endwalls thereby using the boxs end walls as supporting structure for thecover rather than relying upon support from the dust flaps.

DRAWINGS The above objectives and advantages and this invention will bebetter understood from the detailed des'cription below taken togetherwith the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the combination of a box. and coverformed in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the box and cover of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a box cover formed in accordance with thisinvention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a fiat blank from which the box of FIG. 1 isformed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective upwardly-looking view of the box of FIG. 1showing the bottom wall contruction.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the box of FIG. 1 in its flat folded position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to the drawings,and more particularly FIGS. 1 and 2,.there is illustrated a gift box 10including a cover 12 and box 14, shown in their erect and closedposition (FIG. 1) and shown with the cover 12 spaced from the box 14(FIG. 2). Throughout this specification and appendedclaims the term boxis used to describe the bottom member 14 of the gift box 10. While theprimary intended use of this invention is for giftb'oxes it is alsounderstood that this invention can be used on other types of boxes aswell. Furthermore, terms of orientation such as upper, lower, inner andouter are used with the reference to the gift box 10 as shown in FIG. 1for purposes of description only and are not intended to serve aslimitations.

The cover 12 is formed from a blank 16 illustrated in FIG. 3. The box 14may take the form of any of a number of box body constructions and canbe of the set-up or folding type. The one which is illustrated anddiscussed herein is formed from the blank 18 illustrated in FIG. 4. Theblanks 16, 18 for the cover and box may be cut from sheet material suchas cardboard, solid fiber, paperboard, or other suitable foldable sheetmaterial.

One form of the box which is well suited for use with the cover 12 isbox 14 which comprises a bottom wall 20, two opposing side walls 22,24,two opposing end walls 26,28 and two flaps (dust flaps) 30,32. The dustflaps are hingedly connected along fold lines 34,36 to the end walls26,28 respectively. The box 14 illustrated in FIG. 1,2 and is formedfrom the blank 18 illustrated in FIG. 4 where the panels for the sidewalls, and dust flaps are denoted by the same numbers as are used abovewith respect to the walls themselves. The bottom wall is formed from theseveral panels 38,40,42,44 attached along a fold line 45 to the walls22,24,26,28 respectively. The panels 38 and 42 are divided into twoportions by perforated fold lines 46,48 namely, first portions 50,51adjacent to the panels 40,44 respectively and second portions 52,53remote therefrom.

In order to convert the blank 18 into a folding box 14 a glue flap 54which is attached to one wall 22 along a fold line 55 is adhesivelysecured to the interior surface of the wall panel 28 which is adjacentto it when the blank is folded along the fold lines separating thewalls. The exterior surface of the bottom panels 40,44 are adhesivelysecured to the interior surface of the first portions 50,51 adjacentthereto. With those portions glued together the box 14 may be foldedflat as illustrated in FIG. 6. By pushing on the ends of the flat-foldedbox of FIG. 6, the box 14 and bottom wall 20 automatically sets up ascan be seen in F IG. 5 with the panels 38 and 42 interlocking to form aclosed and locked bottom wall 20.

With box 14 set up as shown in FIG. 2 it is now ready to receive thecover 12. The cover is produced and shipped as a single flat piece 16(see FIG. 3) which requires no gluing or interlocking of corners. Thecover 12 is formed with three panels or portions, namely a centralportion 60 and two end portions 62,64 hingedly attached to the centralportion 60 along fold lines 66,68 respectively. The width of the endportions 62,64 is slightly less than the distance between the end walls26,28. The central portion 60 is contoured such that at least a portionof its width measured parallel and adjacent to the fold lines 66,68 atleast equal to and preferably slightly greater than the distance betweenthe end walls 26,28. The side edges 69,70 of the central portion 60 atits four corners 7 1,72,74,76 extend beyond the side edges of the endportions 62,64. In other words, the distance between the corners 71,72and between the corners 74,76 is greater than the width of the endportions 62,64 and is also at least equal to, and preferably slightlygreater than, the distance between the end walls 26,28 of the box 14.

The cover 12 is mounted on the box 14 by folding the end portions 62,64downwardly along the fold lines 66,68 respectively and inserting the endportions 62,64 into the narrow space between the side edges of the dustflaps 30,32 and the side walls 22,24 (see FIG. 2). Because of thedistance between the corners 71,72 and 74,76 of the central portion 60,the central portion rests upon and is supported by the end walls 26,28and dust panels 30,32 rather than solely by the dust panels 30,32.

The side edges 69,70 of the central portion 60 are provided with aninwardly curved contour which, in addition to being decorative, providesan edge which is easy to grasp when it is desired to remove the cover 12from the box 14. To further enhance the design of the gift box 10 and tofurther simplify removal of the cover,

, the upper edges 80,82 of the side walls 22,24 of the box 14 also areprovided with a downwardly curved contour. This permits the user toeasily grasp the end portions 62,64 of the cover 12 to lift the coverfrom the box 14.

The finished appearance of the combined box and cover is neat andstreamlined with no protruding edges and no unsightly scores or foldlines for folding the cover.

The curvature of the central portion side edges and the upper edges ofthe side walls produces an artistic sculptured effect which ties thecover 12 and box 14 together instead of being two obviously independentelements. The cover and box each form a visable part of the other and,through the use of colors or patterns, or both, an integral sculpturedeffect is achieved. This also permits the use of relatively inexpensiveexterior finishing of the box 14 with quality exterior finishing of thecover 12 to produce a quality appearance for the combination. While oneparticular design or curvature has been illustrated, it is understoodthat other designs, such as scallops, also are contemplated.

Because the cover is flat and relatively small and has no overlapping orinterlocking glue or lock tabs and no fold lines appearing on the flatsurface thereof, the cover of this invention is easier and lessexpensive to print and laminate.

The elimination of the overhang as usually exists with a telescopingcover makes it difficult to accidentally knock the cover off the box inspite of the fact that it is easy to mount on and remove from the box.The elimination of the overhang also allows the gift box 10 to bewrapped with paper easily and smoothly without bulges. The cover isinexpensive to manufacture since all that is necessary is that it bestamped from paperboard or other sheet material and no gluing orinterlocking of comer tabs is required. Since the cover remains flat atall times when not in use, it is inexpensive to ship and store.

I claim:

1. A box cover for use with a box having a bottom wall, two opposed sidewalls, two opposed end walls and two flaps, one flap extending inwardlyfrom each of the end walls, the cover comprising a flat member having acentral portion, first end and second end portions, the first endportion being hingedly attached to one end of the central portion, thesecond end portion being hingedly attached to the opposite end of thecentral portion, the central portion having opposed side edges, at leasta portion of the central portion side edges extending outwardly beyondthe side edges of the first and second end portions, the first andsecond end portions being adapted to be received between the flaps andthe side walls adjacent thereto.

2. A box cover as defined in claim 1 wherein the first and second endportions are connected along fold lines to the central portion andwherein at least a protion of the width of the central portion measuredparallel to the fold lines is less than the distance between the endwalls of the box.

3. A box cover as defined in claim 1 wherein the first and second endportions are connected along fold lines to the central portion andwherein at least a portion of the width of the central portion measuredparallel to the fold lines is at least equal to the distance between theend walls of the box.

4. A box cover as defined in claim 2 wherein at least a second portionof the width of the central portion measured parallel to the fold linesis at least equal to the distance between the end walls.

5. A combination box and cover,

a. a box including a bottom wall, two opposed side walls, two opposedend walls, and two flaps, one flap extending inwardly from the upperedge of each of the end walls,

b. the cover unattached to the box including a memher having a centralportion, first and second end portions connected along fold lines to theopposite ends of the central portion, a portion of the width of thecentral portion measured parallel to the fold lines being at least equalto the distance between the end walls of the box, the first and secondend portions being adapted to be received between the flaps and the sidewalls adjacent thereto.

6. A combination box and cover as defined in claim 5 wherein the firstand second end portions are connected along fold lines to the centralportion and wherein at least a second portion of the width of thecentral portion measured parallel to the fold lines is less than thedistance between the end walls of the box.

7. A box cover for use with a box having a bottom wall, two opposed sidewalls, two opposed end walls and two flaps, one flap extending inwardlyfrom each 'of the end walls, the cover comprising a flat member having acentral portion, a first end portion and a second end portion, the firstend portion being hingedly attached to one end of the central portion,the second end portion being hingedlyattached to the opposite end of thecentral portion, at least a portion of the width of the central portionbeing unequal to the distance between the end walls of the box andunequal to the distance between the side edges of its first and secendend portions, the first and second end portions of the cover beingadapted to be received between the flaps and side walls adjacent theretoof the box.

8. A combination box and cover,

a. the box including a bottom wall, two opposed side walls, two opposedend walls, and two flaps, one flap extending inwardly from the upperedge of each of the end walls,

b. the cover unattached to the box including a flap member having acentral portion, including first and second end portions connected alongfold lines to opposite ends of the central portion, at least a portionof the width of the central portion measured parallel to the fold linesbeing unequal to the distance between the end walls of the box andunequal to the distance between the side edges of the first and secondend portions, the first and second end portions being adapted to bereceived between the flaps and side walls adjacent thereto.

9. A combination box and cover as defined in claim 8 wherein at leastone side edge of said central portion is curved inwardly toward thecenter of said central portion.

10. A combination box and cover as defined in claim 6 wherein at least asecond portion of the width of the central portion measured parallel tothe fold lines is at least equal to the distance between the end wallsof the box.

11. A combination box and cover in claim 5 wherein the upper edges ofthe side walls are curved downwardly toward the bottom wall.

1. A box cover for use with a box having a bottom wall, two opposed sidewalls, two opposed end walls and two flaps, one flap extending inwardlyfrom each of the end walls, the cover comprising a flat member having acentral portion, first end and second end portions, the first endportion being hingedly attached to one end of the central portion, thesecond end portion being hingedly attached to the opposite end of thecentral portion, the central portion having opposed side edges, at leasta portion of the central portion side edges extending outwardly beyondthe side edges of the first and second end portions, the first andsecond end portions being adapted to be received between the flaps andthe side walls adjacent thereto.
 2. A box cover as defined in claim 1wherein the first and second end portions are connected along fold linesto the central portion and wherein at least a protion of the width ofthe central portion measured parallel to the fold lines is less than thedistance between the end walls of the box.
 3. A box cover as defined inclaim 1 wherein the first and second end portions are connected alongfold lines to the central portion and wherein at least a portion of thewidth of the central portion measured parallel to the fold lines is atleast equal to the distance between the end walls of the box.
 4. A boxcover as defined in claim 2 wherein at least a second portion of thewidth of the central portion measured parallel to the fold lines is atleast equal to the distance between the end walls.
 5. A combination boxand cover, a. a box including a bottom wall, two opposed side walls, twoopposed end walls, and two flaps, one flap extending inwardly from theupper edge of each of the end walls, b. the cover unattached to the boxincluding a member having a central portion, first and second endportions connected along fold lines to the opposite ends of the centralportion, a portion of the width of the central portion measured parallelto the fold lines being at least equal to the distance between the endwalls of the box, the first and second end portions being adapted to bereceived between the flaps and the side walls adjacent thereto.
 6. Acombination box and cover as defined in claim 5 wherein the first andsecond end portions are connected along fold lines to the centralportion and wherein at least a second portion of the width of thecentral portion measured parallel to the fold lines is less than thedistance between the end walls of the box.
 7. A box cover for use with abox having a bottom wall, two opposed side walls, two opposed end wallsand two flaps, one flap extending inwardly from each of the end walls,the cover comprising a flat member having a central portion, a first endportion and a second end portion, the first end portion being hingedlyattached to one end of the central portion, the second end portion beinghingedly attached to the opposite end of the central portion, at least aportion of the width of the central portion being unequal to thedistance between the end walls of the box and unequal to the distancebetween tHe side edges of its first and second end portions, the firstand second end portions of the cover being adapted to be receivedbetween the flaps and side walls adjacent thereto of the box.
 8. Acombination box and cover, a. the box including a bottom wall, twoopposed side walls, two opposed end walls, and two flaps, one flapextending inwardly from the upper edge of each of the end walls, b. thecover unattached to the box including a flap member having a centralportion, including first and second end portions connected along foldlines to opposite ends of the central portion, at least a portion of thewidth of the central portion measured parallel to the fold lines beingunequal to the distance between the end walls of the box and unequal tothe distance between the side edges of the first and second endportions, the first and second end portions being adapted to be receivedbetween the flaps and side walls adjacent thereto.
 9. A combination boxand cover as defined in claim 8 wherein at least one side edge of saidcentral portion is curved inwardly toward the center of said centralportion.
 10. A combination box and cover as defined in claim 6 whereinat least a second portion of the width of the central portion measuredparallel to the fold lines is at least equal to the distance between theend walls of the box.
 11. A combination box and cover in claim 5 whereinthe upper edges of the side walls are curved downwardly toward thebottom wall.